Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

State Issues Final Guidance for MBTA Zoning Mandate

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, in consultation with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, has promulgated final guidelines to determine if an MBTA community is in compliance with multi-family zoning mandate in the Zoning Act (G.L. c. 40A, § 3A).

10-Community Fossil Fuel Ban Becomes Law

Despite the opposition of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts and a coalition of real estate, housing and business organizations, as well as labor unions and utility companies, a proposal to allow up to ten cities and towns to restrict or prohibit the use of fossil fuels in most construction or major renovation projects became law upon Gov. Baker’s signature on a climate and offshore wind bill.

DOER Finalizes New Energy Codes

Almost exactly 18 months after Gov. Baker signed Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap For Massachusetts Climate Policy, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released final code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code.

HBRAMA Files Amicus Brief on Chapter 40B

The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts recently joined with other housing and real estate groups in filing an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief with the Supreme Judicial Court on the question of whether a provision in the Housing Choice Law intended to discourage meritless appeals of housing projects applies to comprehensive permits issued under Chapter 40B.

Starter Home Zoning Awaits Action by the Legislature

The fate of legislation to create a new Chapter 40Y of the General Laws – the Starter Home Zoning District Act – hangs in the balance as the State Senate and House of Representatives continues to negotiate the differences between competing economic development bills (H. 5034, S. 3030) passed by each branch.

HBRAMA Joins Invest in Water Campaign

The HBRAMA recently announced it officially joined the #InvestInWaterMA coalition, adding the home buildings industry’s support for prioritizing critical investments in water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure.